Manmade Whitewater Course Ends Year In The Black

OAKLAND, Md. (AP) -- A manmade whitewater course in western Maryland is ending the year in the black after a public takeover.

Garrett County officials reported Wednesday on the improved finances of the Adventure Sports Center International near McHenry.

They say the mountaintop attraction will end the year with net income of nearly $28,000. It had operated in the red since it opened in 2007.

The county took over the tourism-and-training site in March by negotiating a $600,000 settlement of more than $3 million in loans on which the nonprofit owner had defaulted.

The county says it trimmed $183,000 from the center's expenses, mostly by cutting salaries, benefits and utility costs.

The center will host the world canoe slalom championships in 2014.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)